Liverpool boss Rodgers praises Gerrard adaptability

Saturday 15 March 2014

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised captain Steven Gerrard for the way he has adapted to playing in deep-lying midfield role, the Liverpool Echo has reported.

Having spent most of his career in an advanced role, 33-year-old Gerrard was moved back into a deeper position to cover for the absence of defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva, who is close to returning from injury after being forced off during the 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa in January. Mamadou Sakho, who can also play in the holding role, is injured too.

And Rodgers has praised Gerrard for the way he has adapted to playing in a deeper area of the pitch, describing the England skipper as a player who can change his game in order to play in any position.

The Northern Irishman said: “We put Steven Gerrard in the position and he’s been brilliant. I look at Steven when he went into that role. I don’t think there’s too many players in the world that could have done what he done. He’s got those great attacking instincts and showed over many years that he’s a world class player.

“He moved back into that controlling position just before Lucas got injured and he’s shown that he can go and dictate the tempo and rhythm of a game from there.

“Make no mistake, the two players are very valuable players for us in our squad. If they’re called upon to play or come off the bench between now and the end of the season, we will use them because Lucas and Mamo have got great commitment to what we’re doing.”

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